The Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART(R)) is an ongoing, multi-agency cooperative effort to maintain and improve the capability for the early detection and real-time reporting of tsunamis in the open ocean. The DART(R) network is an essential component in the provision of timely warnings to U.S. coastal communities. DART(R) data support the NOAA Tsunami Program observation requirements for Tsunami Offshore Real-Time and Post-event observations, as well as Global Water Level Observations. Each DART(R) system consists of an anchored seafloor Bottom Pressure Recorder (BPR) acoustically coupled to a moored surface buoy. Iridium transceivers and the acoustic modems provide real-time communication between each DART(R) system and the Tsunami Warning Centers (TWC) in Ewa Beach, Hawai`i and Palmer, Alaska. Additionally they provide limited communications from the TWC to the BPR. DART(R) BPR packages are deployable for 48 months at depths up to 6000 meters and are typically on a 24-month service schedule. The BPR is recovered by sending a signal to trigger an acoustic release causing it to mechanically separate from the anchor. Flotation brings the unit to the surface, leaving the anchor on the seafloor. Meinig, et. al. (2005) provides a description of DART(R) and its performance characteristics.

These data are considered raw and have not been subjected to the NOAA's quality control or quality assurance procedures. They are released for limited public use as preliminary data to be used only with appropriate caution. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Produced by the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.

DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI> National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Processing Steps

2010-07-09T00:00:00 - Binary data file is received for long-term archive.

Processing Environment

Native Dataset Environment: Raw data is stored as 15-sec frequency counts of pressure and temperature. Data should be converted to engineering units to be most useful. BPR Plotting packages have been developed to perform this conversion. These packages are available from NGDC or PMEL.